Amazon received bids from 54 states, territories, provinces, and districts, including Canadian cities and southern spots like Puerto Rico, which was devastated by a hurricane in September. Other places, like Stonecrest, Georgia, tried to sweeten the deal by offering to rename the city Amazon if they win. The proposals were due October 19, and Amazon said it would select a spot next year.

In September, Amazon announced it was looking for a place for its second headquarters, which would cost as much as $5 billion to build and employ up to 50,000. The tech giant said the metropolitan area must have more than one million people and a "stable and business-friendly environment." What's more, Amazon wants the new facility, called HQ2, to be in a location with an international airport and a strong university system.

But some states, such as Arkansas, don't want HQ2. Arkansas is home to Amazon's main competitor, Wal-Mart Stores, and decided to take itself out of the running by launching an ad campaign that said, "Hey, Amazon, it's not you. It's us."